Israel Air Force strikes Gaza overnight in retaliation for rockets

After Iron Dome intercepts rockets fired from Gaza towards southern Israel, Air Force strikes terror sites in Strip for second time in 24-hours.

An Israeli air strike in the Gaza Strip 370 (R).
(photo credit:REUTERS/Amir Cohen)

The Israel Air Force struck five terror sites in Gaza overnight between Thursday and Friday for the second time in 24-hours in retaliation for rockets fired earlier in the evening by Palestinian terrorists in the Strip.

The strike targeted three concealed rocket launchers in northern Gaza, a terror site in the central Strip and a weapons storage facility in the south after the Iron Dome rocket defense system successfully intercepted a rocket fired from the Gaza Strip over the southern city of Ashkelon on Thursday evening.

"The IDF will not tolerate attempts to harm our [Israeli] citizens and soldiers, and will operate against all elements that instigate terror against the State of Israel," the military said following the strike.

A Gaza health official said six Palestinians were wounded in the strike, according to Palestinian news agency Ma'an.

The army's strikes were in retaliation for four rockets that fell in the Sha'ar Hanegev Regional Council on Wednesday night around 9:45 p.m.

The IDF said one of the rockets hit a community in the region and the second rocket fell in an open area. No injuries were reported, but a home did sustain damage from shrapnel from the projectile.
Yaakov Lappin contributed to this report.